Looking to fix Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot? The mobile hotspot feature on Windows 10 is an excellent option that assists you to share your network connection with other devices. You will be able t use this feature to share your internet connection with other devices so that they will be able to connect to the internet through the WiFi functionality. The feature is available on the Windows 10 ecosystem and lets you work with the functionality quickly by connecting other devices to your network.
However, there are times where you would find that the functionality is not working on your Windows 10 laptop or computer. How to fix it? The tips and fixes in this tutorial should be helpful for you.
The Mobile Hotspot feature on Windows 10 – An Overview
Sharing the internet connection through the mobile hotspot feature is an excellent option to make use of one single source for connectivity on multiple devices. With the feature enabled, you would be able to share the internet connection on your Windows 10 device with other gadgets and devices like smartphones and smart TVs, to name a couple.
The Mobile Hotspot comes built-in on your Windows 10 laptop or computer. This will help avoid the extra networking paraphernalia like hubs and routers, and you can pay and spend for only one internet source. The feature lets you share your internet connection, whether on cellular data, WiFi, or Ethernet.
However, in recent times – the feature seems to be running into issues. The issues seem to be growing in number after the Windows 10 feature update 1709. If you find your Mobile Hotspot feature not working effectively, you may discover how to fix it through the following tips and fixes.
How to Fix Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot not Connecting or Disabled?
The Mobile Hotspot feature on your Windows 10 can run into several problems. One of the major issues is that Windows 10 mobile hotspot is not connecting at all. At times, it will be disabled and may not let you enable it at all. Another major issue you may come across is the mobile hotspot can turn off automatically quite repeatedly.
The significant issues that can make this happen include a variety of possibilities. Some common causes among them would be incorrect configuration and setup, corrupted drivers for the network adapters and malfunctioning network adapter.
Let us check out how can we address the issues and get your Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot feature working once again.
Fix 1 – Check your Network Adapter
The best option to rule out the possibility of a malfunctioning network adapter is to check the functioning through the built in the troubleshooter. The Windows 10 ecosystem has a built-in tool for checking almost all your component issues.
The troubleshooter will help you find if the drivers are updated and let you choose the updated drivers for the network adapter. Here are the steps you can check out –
- Click on START and type Troubleshooter in the dialogue box.
- Choose the appropriate option from the search results.
- Among the options available, choose the Network Adapter.
- Click on Run the troubleshooter
- The wizard will search and detect the issues. Once it does so, it will display the exact connectivity issues you may be looking ahead to address and fix.
- The trouble-shooter will begin looking for the issues and find the problems if any.
- Follow the tips suggested to address the issue.
Most of the issues will be addressed automatically. If not, you will be suggested options to address the problems.
Fix 2 – Install Drivers from manufacturing website
If you are aware of the manufacturers of your network adapter, you may consider downloading and installing the drivers from the manufacturer website. Sometimes the peripherals and components are connected using generic drivers. This may interfere with the proper functionality of the network adapter.
Try finding the make of your adapter and visit the official manufacturer website. Installing the drivers from the manufacturer website can fix a few issues.
Fix 3 – Create a New Connection
Creating a new connection can address most of the issues you may be facing with the mobile hotspot on your Windows 10 device. This can happen due to any sort of authentication issues. You will be able to address the problem if you delete the current connection and create a new connection.
Creating a new connection will help you remove the authentication errors if any and get your mobile hotspot back on track.
Fix 4 – Update your Network Adapter
Your network adapter may be working efficiently, but the major issue would be the driver. The corrupted driver or an outdated driver may be what can interfere with the proper functioning of your mobile hotspot feature.
While the driver may be older, and a new Windows 10 driver may have been developed. Here are the steps you would be able to find the best options to check the drivers and update it –
- Click on START and choose Device Manager.
- Select Network Adapters.
- Right-Click on the network name you would want to repair.
- Choose Update Driver from among the option available under the context menu.
- Click on the option Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Let the steps continue.
The wizard should find the proper driver and install it. Once the process is completed, reboot your computer or laptop.
If the driver has been an issue that caused the problems, you should find the mobile hotspot feature working efficiently.
You can even manually update the driver. If you are aware of the manufacturer of the adapter, you may download the driver for the official website and install it from your Device manager as explained in these steps above. You will only need to follow the steps here below –
- Follow the exact steps as in the above method.
- Instead of choosing Search automatically for updated driver software, select Browse my computer for driver software.
- Click on Browse and navigate to the file stored on the computer.
- Click OK and then click Next.
The installation should continue, and your new driver should be installed.
Fix 5 – Disable Antivirus and firewall
It could be possible that your anti-virus and firewall settings may be preventing the network adapter from functioning correctly. In such a case, you can disable the anti-virus and firewall options and check if this solves your issue.
Make sure you are turning on the disabled options after you are done with the connection on mobile hotspot. If there are options available on your anti-virus and firewall applications to whitelist the mobile hotspot functionality, you can check out that a well.
Fix 6 – Turn off Bluetooth
One of the other options you can use is to turn off Bluetooth and find if it solves the issue. Here is how you should be able to do it –
- Click on START and move to Settings
- Choose Devices
- Click on Bluetooth.
- Turn it off.
That way, your Bluetooth connectivity will not interfere with the Mobile Hotspot functionality on your device.
Fix 7 – Check your WiFi Adapter
Your WiFi adapter may or may not support Mobile Hotspot feature. If it does not, you have no ways to fix it and get the Mobile Hotspot functionality working.
Here is how you would be able to check the compatibility of the WiFi Adapter for access to the Mobile Hotspot feature.
- Launch Command Prompt.
- Type in the following command
NETSH WLAN show drivers
- Press Enter
You should be able to find the option for Hosted network supported. If the option says Yes, your WiFi adapter is compatible with Mobile Hotspot. If it does not, you will need to get a new WiFi adapter. Consult your device manufacturer or a computer repair professional to assist you in replacing your WiFi adapter.
Fix 8 – Check the Allow sharing connection settings
This can help you address the issue of a non-working Mobile Hotspot feature. Here is how you will be able to check the functionality –
- Click START and move on to Settings
- Move to Network and Internet
- Next, move to the Network and Sharing Centre
- Click on Change Adapter Settings.
- Next, right click on the Ethernet Connection.
- Choose the Properties option and then click on the Sharing
Check out the options for allowing the other users to connect with the internet connection of your Windows 10 computer or laptop.
Fix 9 – Reset the Wireless adapters
A wireless card or adapter may not be configured properly after an update. Disabling the adapters and then re-enabling them should be able to resolve the issue.
Here are the steps involved in how you would be able to do this –
- Go to Device manager. You may follow the steps as indicated in the previous actions.
- Expand the category for Network Adapters.
- Choose your network adapter and right click on it.
- From the context menu, choose the option Disable Device.
- Wait till the device is disabled completely. This should be indicated by an arrow shown against the concerned adapter.
Wait for a while and re-enable the adapter. This should help you reset your connection and get your Mobile Hotspot functionality working again.
Fix 10 – Change Power settings
This fix is for those of you who complain that the Mobile Hotspot feature turns off automatically. If your power settings are designed to turn off connectivity when the display is off, the mobile hotspot feature will turn off automatically whenever the screen turns off, or the computer remains idle for a prolonged time.
You can fix it following the steps here below –
- Go to Control Panel
- Move to Power options and then click on Change Plan Settings.
- At the Turn off Display option, choose a time frame of your preference.
- At the Put the computer to sleep prompt, choose
Click on Save Changes and exit the control panel. This should keep your Mobile Hotspot feature working even after the display has turned off.
In Conclusion
Those were a few good options you would find interesting and useful enough if you are looking to fix Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot. Do note that it is much essential to find the exact reason for the issue and thus we advise you try these methods one by one and check the functionality of your mobile hotspot feature.
We assume we have been able to address your issue and helped you get your mobile hotspot functionality back on track. Do drop us a line below with your suggestions or questions in the comments section below and we would be happy to help. Thanks for visiting us!